Libyan leader seeks to calm West on Sharia fears

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) - After giving a speech that emphasized theIslamization of Libya, the head of the transitional government isreassuring the Western powers who helped topple Moammar Gadhafithat the country's new leaders are moderate Muslims. National Transitional Council leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil saidSunday that Islamic Sharia law would be the main source oflegislation, that laws contradicting its tenets would be nullified,and that polygamy would be legalized. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the U.S. hasseen other "Islamic-based democracies wrestle with the issue ofestablishing rule of law." She added that universal human rightsmust be "fully respected." Some nations, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, follow a strictinterpretation of Islamic law that mandates cutting off the handsof thieves, the heads of murderers and stoning adulterers to death.Those who drink alcohol are publicly flogged.